AN: I have finally recovered from college, I know I haven't worked on this story in forver don't shoot me please.

Yuki's friend is Iori or Yori? (scratches head, I don't remember so pardon if I get her name wrong, TT)

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The day of the New Years Ball arrived far to quickly for Yuki to properly absorb but she was glad to see Yori had returned, she finally had her roommate back and now it wasn't going to be so lonely anymore…

She hadn't seen Zero in two days and by Kami she didn't want to see him again, Tsuki words were haunting her. His voice filled her head every moment she was alone, what would happen now that Zero had returned to being human again? What would that mean for them as friends?

Absently she looked down at her left hand and stared at it hard, she wondered what it would be like not having a hand for the rest of her life. But then… she smiled ruefully it was a small price to pay for the happiness of Zero.

To see Zero smile again would be the greatest present ever…. Though she received no Christmas present from either Kaname or Zero… Which she found to be even more disconcerting…

What did the two of them have planned?

"Yuki-chan? Hello?" Yori's lightly blushed face appeared in front of her

"N-nani?" Yuki stuttered, painfully snapping from her reverie.

"What are you doing you looked like you were going to burn a hole in the carpet."

Yuki felt a flush of shame gather on her cheeks as her friend expertly applied makeup on her face. Yori was good at all these feminine things like chores and makeup that is why Yuki would trust her face only to her best friend.

She felt her spirits lift a little maybe this dance wouldn't be so bad…

"Y-yori?" Yuki cried at the door of the ballroom. How much money had the Moon Dorm invest into something that was going to happen only one night? The ceiling looked like there were stars in the sky, they blinked and winked at the darkened crowd of students the three crystal chandeliers were dimmed to a soft light, so soft that Yuki could barely see.

The orchestra was one of the brightest spots and they played their haunting music that sent the hairs on Yuki's standing. She squinted as they were enveloped into the darkening 'twilight' of the room and realized with a mixture of both awe and horror that the students of the Moon Dorm made up most of the orchestra.

Yori hadn't answered Yuki up until now; her mouth was just hanging open in awe. Lavish silk hung from the ceiling, little alcoves and private sitting areas were scattered all around the perimeter. Golden pillows, iridescent fabrics everything was so dreamlike…. Candles were the only source of dim amber light…

Even the catering was lavish two bowls of 'punch' laid out manned by a suave looking gentleman dressed in an impeccable suit he smiled as they passed.

Yuki felt her face growing red and hastily looked away; all around them it was like they had fallen back into time. With a sudden dawning horror Yuki realized that her and Yori were the only two people wearing 'regular' dresses. Yori spotted another classmate and ran up to her yanking Yuki with her.

"Akane!" Yori cried the girl dressed in something that reminded Yuki of a lolita turned around.

She gasped when she saw Yori's dress "What are you doing here dressed like that? Didn't you get the notice?"

"Yori's brows shot up in confusion "What notice?"

Akane bit her lip "I guess not" she then stared at the two girls dresses

"You mean no one told you about the sudden change in the dress?" Akane began again in disbelief

Yori fiercely shook her head "They announced it at lunch today" Akane added with a frown on her face.

"What, but I wasn't here yet! And Yuki you were on rounds weren't you?" Yori cried turning to Yuki but Yuki wasn't listening to anything. Amid all the elaborate clothes and centerpieces choked with fragrant flowers her eyes searched for… Kaname…

Even though it was dim, she could see him at the other end of the room nearest to the balcony. He was busy talking to a few of the Day teachers, and he reminded her of a 17th century French prince. His outfit was one of the most lavish here, with enough lace to provide for several little girls dress.

Yuki felt her head spinning… Why was he so handsome…. Everyone looked like they had either jumped out of a 17th century painting or a gothic masterpiece. She sadly was dressed like a normal Japanese girl going to a dance… Sighing she turned to her friend

"Yori, I'm going to get some punch okay?" Yori nodded with a smile

"Don't get lost now, I know how your little feet tend to gravitate towards Kaname-sama."

Yuki flushed and Yori laughed "I'll catch up with you in a few minutes." Yori gave her friends hand a reassuring squeeze and Yuki was left to wander into the crowd….

Feeling awkward and uncomfortable Yuki somehow found her way over to the refreshments. The man in the suave suit was replaced by a woman from the catering services who politely handed her a cup with a smile. Yuki gulped it down finding that it was hot in here, were there really this many students in the Cross Academy? Lost in thought Yuki glimpsed a couple near a silk hanging… She flushed and looked away,

"I knew you would be here" a familiar voice made her look up, iron grey eyes meet her own chocolate ones.

"Zero" Yuki felt her breath leave her, Zero's cheeks were flushed with life. A life that she had never seen before… He looked like… he had been reborn.

Yuki hands tightened on her cup she looked down unable to bear the sudden humanity in his eyes.

"Don't avoid me Yuki" Zero touched her chin with is fingertips forcing her to look into his eyes.

"You know what I am going to say aren't you?" he whispered into her ear.

"Don't say it" Yuki replied, angrily feeling the tears pricking at her eyes. Why did things have to be this way?

Defiantly she looked into his eyes daring him to be silent "I love you" he stated simply with a warm smile.

Yuki felt her cup crush in her hands the red punch spilling all over her clothes, like blood… like petals….

The tears fell down her cheeks in a soft river "Zero, I…I"

"You can't make me choose!" she suddenly cried a few students turned to look at her, one of them being Aido. He watched the situation with amusement, his intended prey of a freshman girl from the Day Class forgotten. Yuki was really quite beautiful when backed into a corner. She would now have no other choice…

Zero grabbed her wrists, the cup clattering to the floor "Why did you do this for me if you do not love me?!" he asked a sudden pain in his eyes. Zero's sudden flood of feelings was dizzying, it threw everything out balance.

"I did it to see you smile again!" she exclaimed, through her sobbing "the only thing that I wanted for Christmas was to see you smile again, to be happy! You have become so cold, colder then even when you first came to live with us those ten years ago!" she squeezed her eyes shut in pain.

"Please Zero don't do this to me, don't shatter my happiness" she begged Zero let go of one of her wrists and wiped the hot tears from her face.

"The only time I felt like we were together was when I fed from you." He whispered softly, Yuki gasped her cheeks turning red.

"I felt almost as if you loved me. But… Your heart is be-spelled by Kaname Kuran the one man you have loved even before you knew what love was. I understand that, though I always hoped…" he smiled mirthlessly

"My love will not change for you, no matter what" his lips brushed her cheek. And then Zero was gone, leaving Yuki quite alone…

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